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Shaquille O'Neal is recognized as one of the most dominant centers in NBA history. He won four NBA championships, three NBA Finals MVPs, an NBA MVP award, and an NBA Rookie of the Year award during his career.
O'Neal was also a 14-time NBA All-Star and made three All-NBA Defensive Teams, further adding to his impressive resume.
Shaquille O'Neal's personal life
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal was born in Newark, New Jersey on March 6, 1972 to father Joseph Toney and mother Lucille O'Neal. His father was convicted of drug possession and did not rejoin the family when he was released from prison. Shaq's stepfather, army sergeant Philip A. Harrison, eventually took over the paternal duties.
O'Neal's stepfather moved the family to where he was stationed in West Germany. They lived there for six years until Shaq's sophomore year in high school.
After Harrison passed away in 2013, Shaq reunited with his biological father for the first time in decades.
Shaquille O'Neal's high school basketball career
Shaquille O'Neal had a dominant high school basketball career at Robert G. Cole High School in San Antonio, Texas. He averaged 31 points, 22 rebounds, and six assists while leading the school to a 36-0 record. He posted a triple-double of 26 points, 36 rebounds, and 26 blocks in one game.
Shaquille O'Neal was named Parade All-American and became part of The (Louisville) Courier-Journal's Super Five.
Shaquille ONeal's college basketball career
Shaquille O'Neal played with LSU for three seasons and averaged 21.6 points on 61% shooting, 13.5 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks. During O'Neal's time with LSU, they posted a combined 64-29 record. They made it to the NCAA Tournament in all three seasons.
Shaquille O'Neal's professional NBA career
Shaquille O'Neal was selected first overall by the Orlando Magic in the 1992 NBA Draft. He went on to average 23.7 points on 58.2% shooting, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in 1,207 NBA games.
During O'Neal's third season with the Magic, he led them to the NBA Finals by defeating the Boston Celtics, the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls, and the Indiana Pacers. They matched-up against Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets in the 1995 NBA Finals, but were swept in four games.
Shaquille O'Neal was sent home early the following postseason after losing to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals. As a free agent, he signed a seven-year, $121 million contract with the LA Lakers in the summer of 1996. He averaged 26.2 points and 12.5 rebounds during the 1996-97 campaign.
Shaq, along with his superstar teammate Kobe Bryant, led the Lakers to three-straight NBA championships from 2000-2002. He further cemented his legacy as one of the best big men to ever play in the NBA.
Guess the Lakers players!
